Police chief: 'Meth heads have taken over Norwalk'

Light, who will retire as chief today, said it’s frustrating that while he appreciates being granted funding for another officer, the department took a budget cut for overtime pay and controlled drug buy funds.

“This is the worst drug problem we’ve seen since I’ve been here and we’re taking away the money needed to help it,” Light said.

Also he said he understands funds are needed to keep the roads and other city services maintained, but he cannot help being concerned.

“Especially with the influx in methamphetamine,” Light said. “That’s also something that kept us safe last year; we managed to dodge meth.”

That is, until recently.

While cocaine, heroin and other opioids have been in Norwalk for some time, Light said those users “typically aren’t dangerous.”

“Meth heads have taken over Norwalk and methamphetamines are a nasty drug. It’s the meth users that can be dangerous and violent. Methamphetamines have been here three or four months now and we’ve taken more methamphetamine from streets the past three months than the past 10 years combined.”